Garrett J. McKinstry, charged with murdering his father, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity in Kitsap County Superior Court Oct. 10.

McKinstry, a 2004 graduate of North Kitsap High School, allegedly stabbed his father, Bainbridge Island school counselor Jeff McKinstry, Oct. 11, 2007 at their South Kingston Road home.

For the last six months, doctors at the mental health evaluation and recovery center at Western State Hospital, where McKinstry was held, deemed him incompetent to stand trial.

Competency, explained Kevin Hull, Kitsap County deputy prosecutor, means the person to stand trial is aware of who they are and what is going on around them. Hull said competency is often restored through medication.

“It’s not uncommon for someone to seek this (insanity) defense when there’s really no question who committed the crime,” Hull said. “The defense isn’t even arguing that point.”

McKinstry is heading back to Western State Hospital where doctors will review his case and offer an opinion if McKinstry was insane at the time of the homicide, one year ago.

Hull said McKinstry’s defense attorney might suggest a review by a personal doctor as well.

Although the next trial date is set for Oct. 27, the evaluation by Western State Hospital doctors may not be ready at that time. In that case, the trial will again be postponed.